Hunka, Neha

Bio

I am an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Maryland (UMD), College Park. I received a PhD from the University of Copenhagen in 2016 on the mapping of tropical forest loss and its spatio-temporal dynamics using radar satellites. At UMD, I coordinate efforts towards the harmonization of space-based forest carbon maps.  A core goal of this research is to facilitate the understanding and uptake of such maps by countries for policy reporting within frameworks of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). I have also previously been a scientific investigator for numerous European Space Agency (ESA) projects. A few examples include the Sen4CAP project for monitoring and reporting agricultural cycles under Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). I am also the scientific lead of the S14Amazonas project, aimed specifically at capturing deforestation and forest degradation in the moist tropical forests of the Amazon basin. Overall, my research drives me to the practical applications of the newest satellite data for the betterment of the world’s environment. Outside work, I am an enthusiastic cyclist and swimmer, who loves traveling.